On Sunday, I ran my third half marathon. Three years ago, if you would have told me that I would run even half that I’d tell you no way. If you would have told me that I would have run that while pregnant and even six months postpartum I would have told you that you were extra crazy girlfriend.

Well, you may still be cray cray, but I still did it. And truth be told, these have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of my life. I feel like Samantha Warrior Princess. *punches a wall and rips a deck of cards in half* Okay maybe I shouldn’t be punching walls.

I wasn’t planning on running for a specific time this go-around. I just wanted to cross that finish line, get my Tiffany bling, and then jump into a bath of ice cubes. But about half-way through, I told myself to run it in under 3 hours and by George! I did it. Somehow. I’m still convinced little faeries had to pick me up carry me over those last few miles and that mountain at mile ten. Thanks magic faeries. I owe ya one.

So the sun was still playing hide-and-seek when I went downtown on Sunday morning. But somehow all of us fools runners were excited and full of energy as we lined up in our corrals.

This is the face of an insane person who decided to run 13.1 miles (without really training and carrying some extra baby chub of my own in my rear end).

YAY! Our group (oh hayyyy ladies) was finally able to cross the start line about 45 minutes after the official start. Basically Nike Women’s was telling us that the slow pokes should be in the back. That’s okay though. I would probably have gotten whip lash from watching the faster gals pass by me.

Any who, no matter the speed at which you run, it is a very empowering experience. The hills alone will test your willpower. Especially when all you want is a damn cookie and a nap and you stare up a San Francisco hill that might as well be called a summit.

My obligatory action shot. Oh hey, that sweat is just so attractive. At certain points I couldn’t tell if it was morning dew dripping down my front or my own sweat. I don’t really know if I want to find out that answer.

They really needed a sign that said “WE RUN BUT ALSO WALK A LOT AND ACTUALLY WISH WE WERE CRAWLING”. Where is my cookie?

Praise the sweet baby Jesus. Also, thank God for foggy mist which usually pisses me off to no end but kept me blissfully cool throughout this expedition. #allhailJesus

YOU MADE IT!* (*with or without your legs still intact.)

Not bad for a baby mama who hasn’t seen the good side of a night’s sleep since 1995.

LET'SBEHONEST. I was only there for the bling. Oh hey there gorgeous.

2012 || 2013

2014

I don’t believe that I will be running the Nike Women’s Half Marathon next year because I don’t really know where I’ll be yet after graduation. But I know that I will run this race again. This race and Nike Women’s will always have a special place in my heart.

What do you think, Disney Half next? If you need me, I’m still limping over there.

I am a wife, a mom to two, a Catholic, and a public health dentist living in our new home on a little island by the San Francisco Bay. I collect sparkling earrings, enjoy drinking tea and red wine, hoard stationery, and take too many iPhone photos.

Here are my stories of the things that matter.And the things that don't too.